Villanova tops New Hampshire 24-13

November 8, 2008 7:44:39 PM PST

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - November 8, 2008 --

Phil Atkinson scored on a 17-yard run and Joe Marcoux kicked a late field goal as Villanova topped New Hampshire 24-13 on Saturday in a matchup of top 10 Football Championship Subdivision teams. Atkinson and Antwon Young scored on the ground for Villanova (7-2, 5-1 Colonial Athletic Association). The Wildcats also got a touchdown pass from Chris Whitney to Brandyn Harvey, but did most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 222 yards as a team. Aaron Ball led the way with 73 yards and Whitney had 70 while Matthew Szczur added 40 yards on nine carries.

Robert Simpson scored on a 3-yard run in the first quarter for New Hampshire (7-2, 4-2). Tom Bishop added two field goals, including a 23-yarder that cut Villanova's lead to 14-13 with 6:53 left in the third. But Bishop missed a field goal later in the third. New Hampshire threatened in the fourth, driving down to the Villanova 29-yard line with :22 left, but turned the ball over on downs.

R.J. Toman was 18-for-28 for 264 yards for New Hampshire but was sacked five times, while Mike Boyle had five catches for 101 yards. Whitney was 10-for-14 for 80 yards with one interception for Villanova.

Villanova held New Hampshire to just 50 yards rushing on 34 carries.

Villanova came into the game ranked No. 6 in The Sports Network poll and No. 8 in the FCS Coaches Poll. New Hampshire was ranked eighth and seventh, respectively.